2025 NFL Draft Profile: Boston College Defensive End Donovan Ezeiruaku

Evaluation

If Ezeiruaku doesn’t pan out to what his projections show, there would be surprised looks around his entire camp, along with a handful of NFL coaches and executives. He is trending that hot right now, and is not expected to drop out of the first round.

Ezeiruaku may not boast the frame of some NFL lineman, but his skills off the edge are undeniable — this is where he will be the most impactful, just like he was in college. Undersized doesn’t account for heart and hustle, which Ezeiruaku’s background proves to be heavily adorned with as well.

Some traits that pop out that you don’t see on tape are his friendliness, his goofiness, his self-assured demeanor and a great smile. He’s lovely to talk to and listen to during media sessions, which is a bonus for any city or organization, and his personality shines through in any room — he’s focused on his goals and improving himself, first and foremost, for the betterment of the team.

On tape, Ezeiruaku is slippery off the edge and possesses a variety of moves which helps him duck, spin around and simply evade pass protection and run blocking. The tape shows that when the Eagles needed him to, he beat his assignment or found a way to attack the ball carrier in some capacity. He has the stats to prove it, too.

He finished the 2024 season off with a bang, accumulating 3.5 sacks (a career-high) against Pittsburgh, including 10 tackles and a TFL.

“He won us a few games single-handedly,” Bill O’Brien said at BC’s Pro Day. “Can’t say enough great things about him.”

What The Experts Say

Mock Draft

In ESPN’s three-round NFL mock draft, compiled by Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates on Tuesday, Ezeriauku is projected to land with the Washington Commanders with the first pick in the second round. Kiper made a two-round mock draft earlier in which the Philadelphia Eagles selected Ezeiruaku with the 32nd pick and last of the first round.

Projection

NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein had this to say about Ezeiruaku.

“Slightly undersized outside linebacker for a 3-4 front with long arms and plus athleticism. Ezeiruaku uses every bit of his length paired with aggression to mitigate size differences at the point of attack. He gets engulfed at times but typically separates from or slips blocks cleanly. He’s quick off the snap, using bend and agility to win at the top of the rush or make stops in the backfield. His hands exploit small advantages to turn them into big ones and he has a variety of ways to challenge protection, though he’s still learning to craft his plans. Ezeiruaku’s play demeanor, skill and athletic talent are the underpinnings of a productive starter with three-down value.”

Ezeiruaku’s draft projection on NFL.com is the first round, his NFL comparison is Yannick Ngakoue and his prospect grade of 6.40 deems him a worthy starter within two years of being in the league.

The Last Word

“Boston College did what it needed to do for me,” Ezeiruaku said. “And I look forward to giving back to Boston College in the future.”
- Ezeiruaku

This is the first of a series of profiles on former Boston College football players who could be selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.